Friday, February 27, 2015

Today we got some pretty awesome news. It all started out with a few tweets this morning from the official Sasuke TBS Twitter account. They were posting about some Nico Nico broadcast for Thursday, March 12 (It says 29:00 soo.. 5 am on the 13th Japan time). So if my conversion is correct, those of us in the west can see on March 12 during the afternoon.

For those who are curious.. what is Nico Nico? This is the online streaming service that was used during the Sasuke 30 broadcast that had commentary on the tournament while it was airing live in Japan. I'm assuming that this particular stream will only be Inui on there (since the man doesn't sleep...) talking briefly about the entries and then announcing the winner (more on that later).

Here are the tweets in question: Tweet One, Two and Three. And Inui's confirming that as well.

The long and short of it is that TBS is holding a small contest directly tied to the Sasuke 31 tournament airing later this summer. Ube found some information for us on how this works (Thanks Ube!) and did a quick translation of what it is.

TBS is asking for fans to submit their ideas for SASUKE obstacles. They will go over the ideas live on Nico Nico on the 12th. The winners will get their obstacles made (or modified) and earn a chance to go to the show. The deadline is March 12th although since that's the day that they are doing the live stream, you should probably try to get it in earlier.

What to do:
Draw a picture of your obstacle. Put your name on the back. (Or the obstacle name, it's not very clear).
User paper from A4 to A3 size.
Put a brief clear description of how to clear the obstacle.
It can be for the 1st or 3rd Stages.

I personally am happy to read that they are doing this. As many of you know I've been critical of TBS in the past for not showing enough love for their own franchise. Seems they now are taking it seriously and doing small things here and there to help keep Sasuke relevant and on everyone's mind. The nice thing on top of getting fan interaction is the fact that they are giving one lucky fan a chance to actually contribute to show they love by adding an obstacle and have a chance to see said obstacle in person. I think that's really awesome! For those who have been OBSESSING about obstacles, now's your chance. Granted, just like Ube said, priority will be to the Japanese entries but it's nice that they are listening to their hardcore audience!

Btw as a reminder, Sasuke 31 is set to air later this summer on TBS. No date is set for that airing yet. Once we find out I'll post about that. In the meantime, thank you all for your awesome and generous support! I'll be going to see the tourney live! As best I can and still keeping with the NDA I'll post here of my adventures. Please remember that I'm limited as to how much information I can disclose until after the official airing later this summer.

Friday, February 13, 2015

I'm actually pretty sick right now (I have a bad cold) and I woke up later in the afternoon after a NyQuil induced coma. I logged on to see that we were 13% left on Friday the 13th (which I found amusing). I went to get something to eat, heard an email notification, went back to my computer then BOOM I saw we jumped to 104%!!! WE HIT THE GOAL!

Contributions are still coming! (Thank you). We still have over a week left until this campaign closes so if you were still thinking of reserving your Sasuke 2015 T-Shirt or Towel or ordering signed photos, etc. there's still plenty of time to do so! The campaign closes on February 23!

Also, some of you have asked if I will be taking orders, etc. after the campaign closes (since the transition from one IndieGogo campaign to the other was not entirely smooth), the answer is yes! Just message me and we can work that out privately. I'll keep taking them until about the end of March or April. By then I can do a lumpsum order when they are first being sold. I'd like to get that done before I arrive to save me standing in line for a bunch of them. LOL

Thank you SO much for your generosity and support! I'm THRILLED beyond belief to be able to go to Japan. Thanks to you I'll be able to go there and ask my questions, get all the behind the scenes, see the waxed eyebrows in person.. ehem.. report on all the stuff that I love writing about. I'll continue updating the blog as best I can during the trip and get a report when I get back. I look forward to writing the book! Depending on how much extra I get from this one I won't have to do another one of these for the publishing part. However, I'm not thinking about that now. The trip was the most important part of that equation and thanks to you I'll be able to go!

Tuesday, February 24th final total!

Edit: This was posted on the campaign site's update tab on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 with revised edit:

Thank you!

The campaign finished last night while I was sleeping. I raised a total of $3,546 (116% (118% actually) of the goal!)
Seems also I'm part of a new program that IndieGogo has available. It's called InDemand. Because I reached my goal during the campaign period, I can continue getting contributions and perk fulfillment. So, if you missed being able to get a perk you wanted, want an additional one, or know someone who missed the campaign (especially during the transition period) but still want to contribute, this campaign is still available. Note that all fees also apply. I'll be updating my blog soon and post a new page for PayPal links and other contribution options if that is preferred. (Edit: Posted Paypal button on the right column of the blog just under my name) I've been asked about that recently so this is why I mention it now. Either way, even if I don't get a single additional dime from this campaign, I'm still EXTREMELY grateful for all of the generosity and support during this very stressful time.

It was a leap of faith to try something so outlandish as to ask for help for a trip halfway around the world. It was really comforting to read of all of the support and kind words from all of you. I've been blogging for over 6 years now and didn't realize how many people that affected. I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. I am deeply moved. Most of you went above and beyond to help spread the word and share the campaign. You stuck with me when I had to switch midway through the first campaign to start this new one. (A huge thank you also to the kind contributor of the plane tickets!) It's amazing how tenacious all of you were in support of this crazy endeavor. Thank you doesn't seem a strong enough word.

I'll post updates on Rambling Rican in the coming months. I'll keep you posted every step of the way as best I can. Airing for this event on Japanese television won't happen until the summer (I'm figuring same time frame as last year so July'ish? - that's not confirmed yet. It's just too early for that) and I will be bound by NDA . So while I will be able to share my own personal stuff while I'm in Japan, I can only do drips and drabs of information until the official airing. Once that is done I will post a lot more.

I'll keep you posted on the book progress which will be a few months after the event (since these things take time) and hopefully if I'm frugal with my spending and/or I get more contributions, I won't have to do another large fundraiser for the publishing. Again, I'll deal with that part afterwards.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Everyone knows I've been doing this baby watch for Nagano before.. er.. twice.. so here it is again! Nagano Baby Watch™ alert! Sasuke Legend Makoto Nagano
長野誠 and his wife Asami 阿紗美 are welcoming their 3rd child soon™! (Rumor is April but not sure) As you know, they have two sons together. Taiou 太皇 was born June 16, 2013 and Kaiou 塊王 was born June 6, 2009.

This also explains why Asami hasn't been photographed lately! I hope for a safe arrival of the new Chibi Nagano™! (Taiou's delivery scared me a lot so I pray for an easier delivery) I can't wait to welcome a new addition to the Sasuke All-Star Family!! Unsure if by the time I get to Japan I will have the chance to meet the new Nagano baby. All I can say is that if the rumored due date is correct, it will be before the tournament.

Speaking of my trip to Japan, I wanted to confirm that I'M GOING TO JAPAN! I mentioned before that someone is paying for my airfare so that is now official! I'm now raising money in a new campaign to function while there. This pays for food, hotel and transportation. You guys have been awesome by raising more than 50% in something like 14 hours! LOL Thank you so much for your support! As I mentioned as well on the site and on the video, I plan on getting more 2015 Sasuke T-Shirts (before the tournament) but remember to include shipping with the contribution. I'm honored to be able to fulfill this particular perk but it's also eating into my overall budget! I need to be able to sleep, eat and travel for a week in the most expensive city in the world.... Unlike the original campaign, this one is a flexible fund now that the airfare is secure. I will be going to Japan regardless of whether or not I hit the goal. That said, I'd reaaaaaally prefer hitting the goal. Please pass the news along and hope we reach the goal! I can't wait to write all about the trip! I'm totally having kittens right now!